Important Travel Document Information – Please Read
Switzerland is a member of the Schengen Area, which means that citizens of most countries can travel to Switzerland without a visa for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. However, nationals of some countries, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, do need to apply for a Schengen visa in order to visit Switzerland.
A Schengen visa is a type of visa that allows you to travel to any of the 27 Schengen countries in Europe for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. If you are planning to visit Switzerland, you should check with the Swiss embassy or consulate in your country of residence to see if you need a visa.
The current appointment waiting times for Schengen visas to Switzerland vary depending on the embassy or consulate. In some cases, you may need to wait several weeks or even months for an appointment. Which is why we strongly advise to apply as soon as possible to ensure that you are approved for a visa to Switzerland in time for your trip. You will not be allowed on your flight without a valid visa document.
Switzerland Visa Options
You may choose your preferred number of entries when applying for your visa:
Switzerland Schengen C-Visas
A Schengen Visa is an official travel document. It allows a person to travel to any country in the Schengen Area. For stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes.
The Schengen area consists of 27 European countries. The area mostly acts as a single jurisdiction for international travel with a common visa policy.
Nationals of some countries, which have not yet reached a liberalization agreement will need to obtain this travel authorization before arrival in Europe.
Switzerland Visa Purposes
The purpose of your visit to Switzerland will determine the type of visa you need to apply for. There are several different types of Switzerland visas, each with its own specific requirements.
Tourist visa: This type of visa allows you to visit Switzerland for leisure purposes, such as sightseeing, visiting family and friends, or attending cultural events.
Business visa: This type of visa allows you to travel to Switzerland for business purposes, such as attending trade shows, meetings, or conferences.
Student visa: This type of visa allows you to study at a Swiss university or school.
Work visa: This type of visa allows you to work in Switzerland.
Transit visa: This type of visa allows you to pass through Switzerland on your way to another country.
Switzerland Visa Process
Once you have completed the online form and submitted your details, your information will be reviewed and your application will enter processing. First of all, any mistakes or un-clear information will be clarified or corrected to ensure no issues during your application.
An appointment must be scheduled to lodge your application, but first we will check the availability and advise accordingly. You must gather a selection of required documentation to prove you have sufficient financial means to support yourself, as well as evidence of your accomodation and flights to and from the country.
Entry To Switzerland
Because interview wait periods vary by location, season, and visa type, you should apply for your visa as soon as possible. Examine the appointment wait time at the place where you’ll be applying.
A Switzerland Schengen visa enables a foreign person to go to a Schengen port-of-entry (usually an airport) and request to be granted permission to enter the country. We can ensure your visa application goes smoothly, however, entrance to the Schengen zone is not guaranteed by an approved visa.
Switzerland National D-Visas
You must apply for a residency permit or national D-Visa, rather than a Switzerland Schengen Visa if you plan to stay in Switzerland for more than 90 days.
Your long-stay visa must be for a period of three months to one year, regardless of the length of your anticipated stay. You must apply for a residence permit at a prefecture in order to prolong your stay beyond the duration of your visa.
The long-stay visa is comparable to a Schengen visa throughout its validity term, allowing you to travel and remain in the Schengen area outside of Switzerland for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, under the same circumstances as if you had a Schengen visa.
If you are a citizen of a country that can visit the Schengen zone without a visa, then you may travel visa-free and apply for your national visa / residence permit from within the country you wish to stay in long-term.
For detailed information on specific parts of the EU visa process, you can refer to the links to the right to find the answer to your query. If you are unable to find any particular information, please contact us via email.
Other EU Visa Types
A Visa is required for any third national wishing to enter Switzerland or any other Schengen country. It could be a short-stay Schengen C-visa for stays of up to 90 days or a national D-visa / residence permit for longer stays in the country.
Schengen visas are utilised by business persons, tourists, speciality workers, and students who want to stay in Switzerland for a limited time for specific travel purposes. Those who apply for a Schengen visa must show the Visa Application Centre that they intend to leave the Schengen zone at the end of their temporary stay.
Once you submit an application, it will go through our 8 point check to ensure there will be no issues with your authorization. Sometimes it can take up to 72 hours to schedule your consultation call with the attorney but you will be kept up to date from the moment your application is submitted.
You will receive all updates to the email address you present on your application and our phone lines are open 9am-5pm (GMT+0) if you have any queries. We can ensure your visa application goes smoothly, however, entrance to the Schengen zone is not guaranteed by approved Visa Applications.
People Also Asked...
This depends on a number of things such as whether or not you have had a Schengen visa in the past or how many countries you intend to visit. Generally you first Schengen visa will be issued for the duration of your stay. Future applications may be granted for multiple entry for a number of years.
There are 27 Schengen members states in Europe. You can see the full list of countries in the Schengen zone in the table on this page.
You can expect an update on your application within 3 days of submission. You can choose express processing at checkout for a response within 24 hours.
Once you attend your appointment, your visa can take up to 15 working days to be processed by the Embassy.
If your Switzerland visa is refused, you will be notified of the decision by the Swiss embassy or consulate. You may be able to appeal the decision, but you will need to do so within a certain timeframe.
The processing time for a Switzerland visa can vary, but it typically takes a few weeks from start to finish.